This is where Gates wants to be. He was reminded of that following last year’s 4-12 season. However disappointed, he basked to some degree in the locker room following the finale, having seen the undermanned Chargers lead the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos in the fourth quarter before losing in Denver. The effort helped validate that his first professional marriage should remain his only.

“I’d love to finish my career here,” said Gates, who will turn 36 in June. “I know one thing: we’re going to fight despite whatever we’re going through. We’ll see how it goes.”